Are customer accounts necessary for my website?

Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The thread explores the necessity and implications of customer accounts for a new website feature. Participants express a range of concerns and experiences regarding customer account creation, its impact on user experience, and potential technical issues related to the website's functionality.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Opinion-based
  • Anecdotal
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses concern about requiring customers to create accounts, feeling it may be perceived as forcing them to do so.
  • Another participant notes that account creation is standard for online ordering and could streamline the process for returning customers.
  • Several users mention that while account creation may seem unnecessary to some customers, it could ultimately enhance their experience by saving their information.
  • One participant shares their experience of initially being upset about the changes but later recognizing potential benefits.
  • Another participant discusses the importance of being prepared for potential website issues, sharing concerns about system outages affecting order submissions.
  • Some participants reflect on their experiences with other companies' websites, noting that technical glitches are common but can be managed with proper planning.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Views differ on the necessity and impact of customer accounts, with some participants expressing concerns while others see potential benefits. No clear consensus emerges regarding the overall necessity of accounts.

Contextual Notes

Participants share personal experiences and concerns related to the transition to a new website feature, focusing on customer interactions and technical reliability.

Who May Find This Useful

Consultants considering the implications of customer accounts on their business practices and those interested in shared experiences regarding website functionality may find this discussion relevant.

ChefBeckyD said:
I don't think it has anything to do with a food chain theory...I did it, and I am a director. I put in a street address one street over from me, and out of 6 times, I came up once. One of my consultants (Ummm...who didn't submit ANYTHING in April!!!) came up 5 out of 6 times. That makes absolutely NO sense at all.

NOT liking THAT!! :yuck: :eek:

Sandi
 
But did she submit much in MARCH? I think THAT is the month the stats are pulling from, because one gal on MY team who did submit more than the $1250 in March, but only $800 in April, her name popped up when I put my address in.So the April stats may not be in play yet....
 
  • Thread starter
  • #93
Here's something rich.... I just attempted to do an individual order... it says that it's going to send my customer an email requesting they set up an account.....

Now this is even better.... I can't change the shipping! It's coming to me, with no option to change!

Have I missed something?
 
Are the phone numbers editable in the sense that you can put hyphens in them? Sometimes they're hard to follow without the hyphens.
 
So . . . who ever the new person was that was sad b/c they didn't have the new program ~ count your lucky stars! Hopefully all the wrinkles will be worked out by the time you are able to do so. ;) Its a little frustrating.

Sandi
 
It is showing consultants (including my hospitality NED) as far as an hour away when I put in my address and surrounding town addresses.
 
  • Thread starter
  • #97
sandilou said:
So . . . who ever the new person was that was sad b/c they didn't have the new program ~ count your lucky stars! Hopefully all the wrinkles will be worked out by the time you are able to do so. ;) Its a little frustrating.

Sandi

Thank you for saying what I was thinking... but didn't want to be accused of a "personal attack"

Anywho...
 
sandilou said:
So . . . who ever the new person was that was sad b/c they didn't have the new program ~ count your lucky stars! Hopefully all the wrinkles will be worked out by the time you are able to do so. ;) Its a little frustrating.

Sandi

I was just thinking "I'm GLAD I am not dealing with this!". Sorry you are, but I am not surprised. Lived through way too many of these things.

Hope they get it sorted out though quickly and painlessly.
 
Malinda Klein said:
ok, so i'm setting up a new show and my host doesn't have email. What do i put in there then? My email address?

No. I wouldn't put yours in. Will it not let you set it up without an email? The point of the email is for the receipt. I was told this morning by Tech that in a few weeks they are announcing that ALL hosts must have an email. We really need to get them to understand that not all hosts WANT an email. Not ALL people shop online but their guests might. If the host gets an email just for her account her friends won't know it so searching only via email is NUTS. If she puts her daughter's email or YOUR email in they won't know to search under that either. They need to make it BY THEIR NAME.
 
esavvymom said:
I was just thinking "I'm GLAD I am not dealing with this!". Sorry you are, but I am not surprised. Lived through way too many of these things.

Hope they get it sorted out though quickly and painlessly.

This is why they didn't give a date when the next group gets it... They need to fix the things that aren't working first. The sandbox the beta testers were in was not the same as the real thing as you know having been in the field.
 
BethCooks4U said:
No. I wouldn't put yours in. Will it not let you set it up without an email? The point of the email is for the receipt. I was told this morning by Tech that in a few weeks they are announcing that ALL hosts must have an email. We really need to get them to understand that not all hosts WANT an email. Not ALL people shop online but their guests might. If the host gets an email just for her account her friends won't know it so searching only via email is NUTS. If she puts her daughter's email or YOUR email in they won't know to search under that either. They need to make it BY THEIR NAME.

You know there is power in numbers. If everyone starts telling them that and flooding their email box, they'll listen eventually. Even if a host DOES have email, it doesn't mean her invited GUESTS know it! We encourage our hosts to invite EVERYONE- the mail lady, her favorite store cashier, her hair dresser, her neighbor...do you THINK these people know her email or address or that the host WANTS them to know it?

HO assumes we use their e-vite system, they assume the hosts ALL have email or the guests for that matter, they ASSUME alot. You know what they say about "Assume". ;) The evite system, while it looks great, may still not get huge amounts of use if hosts don't provide (or KNOW) the email addresses of the guests they are inviting. It's a vicious circle.
 
  • Thread starter
  • #102
the only thing I can think to do is put my host's email on the paper invitations and explain go to to my website, create an account, then search by that email, and now you can finally order your measly mini serving spatula off of Holly Host's party.

And Bobbi... I emailed HO... cause I assume they need to know :)
 
Let me say that I appreciate you helping in ironing out the bugs by the time that I, the consultant, get access to the new website. I'm very anxious for it, but am willing to wait for it to be perfect.:D or near perfect. I hear that I may have to wait until June, but I'm ok with that.
 
We have basically no information about this here in Canada, so I can't find my answer anywhere....will the app work on android tablets or just android phones?
 
PamperedK said:
We have basically no information about this here in Canada, so I can't find my answer anywhere....will the app work on android tablets or just android phones?

As mentioned several other times, no one knows for sure. The official response has been that since many android phone apps do work on an android based tablet, but don't have the proper screen size or resolution, they are saying it MIGHT work. But no, it wasn't specifically DESIGNED for the android tablets like it was designed for the Android Phone or the iPad/iPhone.

Until the app is released though, no one will know for sure.
 
esavvymom said:
As mentioned several other times, no one knows for sure. The official response has been that since many android phone apps do work on an android based tablet, but don't have the proper screen size or resolution, they are saying it MIGHT work. But no, it wasn't specifically DESIGNED for the android tablets like it was designed for the Android Phone or the iPad/iPhone.

Until the app is released though, no one will know for sure.

Sorry I did a search in this thread and in the general forum for "tablet" info and the only thing that came up was about iPads. Like I said...we have zero info in Canada.
 
PamperedK said:
Sorry I did a search in this thread and in the general forum for "tablet" info and the only thing that came up was about iPads. Like I said...we have zero info in Canada.
My comment wasn't meant to be a dig or anything....I know it's been posted in several places, so I'm not even sure WHICH thread. ;)have they even said when it would roll out in Canada?? Look at it this way- the USA group is the guinea-pigs for your rollout probably!
 
They just said "May" so I'm not getting my hopes up that it will be in the first 27 days of May. lol
 
esavvymom said:
You know there is power in numbers. If everyone starts telling them that and flooding their email box, they'll listen eventually. Even if a host DOES have email, it doesn't mean her invited GUESTS know it! We encourage our hosts to invite EVERYONE- the mail lady, her favorite store cashier, her hair dresser, her neighbor...do you THINK these people know her email or address or that the host WANTS them to know it?

HO assumes we use their e-vite system, they assume the hosts ALL have email or the guests for that matter, they ASSUME alot. You know what they say about "Assume". ;) The evite system, while it looks great, may still not get huge amounts of use if hosts don't provide (or KNOW) the email addresses of the guests they are inviting. It's a vicious circle.

I live and work in a very rural area. Quite a few people don't have a computer much less an e-mail. And then there are those who don't want people to know their personal e-mail for privacy reasons.
HO is in a large city where e-mail technology is a way of life. Especially the younger generation think nothing of letting anyone borrow their computer etc. And for some in big cities they can not fathom someone not having or wanting e-mail technology. And while I appreciate so very much all of their hard work in moving Pampered Chef forward, I do believe it will become more difficult for those of us who service mostly people who are still living in the 20th and not the 21st century.
I wrote to HO about guests and hosts who didn't have e-mail. They said that those would have to have a written receipt given to them at the show. But they did not address what to do if a host does not have an e-mail address.
I know there will be glitches...hopefully they can be worked out quickly!
I haven't given up hope,
 
ChefBeckyD said:
I don't think it has anything to do with a food chain theory...I did it, and I am a director. I put in a street address one street over from me, and out of 6 times, I came up once. One of my consultants (Ummm...who didn't submit ANYTHING in April!!!) came up 5 out of 6 times. That makes absolutely NO sense at all.

Becky: same thing happened to me. My new gal did submit but not the required $1,250 and she came up 3 out of the 4 xs. I only came up on the 3rd try. :(
 
Out of 5 names mine was there with one person I know and 3 I've never heard of. My girls that did $1250 and all have websites never did come up. :(

Sandi
 
You really don't know how the OLD system worked in pulling up names. We know what OUR requirements were, but not the way they selected the names. It could work the same exact way, only now, you are SEEING the names.
 
Ok so I so I have Helen on the new web most of today
1 . I had windows 7 needed to download Windows 8 or 9. Did oh know this
2 do like that you have to serch a hosts show by Host e- mail address not there name Not ver good what I'd guest don't know and only know the name .
3 catalog party's have to put in the time of the show IT'S CATATALOG SHOW NO DATE needed .
And. You can not enter a show without an e-mail address you are right NT EVERYONE has an E- maill address ,,,,, does that mean they can't have a show

I know there are doing to be things that need to be cleared up but some of these Ning are just not right ,
 
I decided to search my address on the consultant search. I came up 5th on the list. 3 of the 5 consultants (including myself) I know are Director and above. When I clicked the link next to my name it doesn't allow the customer to go to my website as I'm not set up for the new web yet (TL) :( So anybody who pulls me up can't do anything anyway! As for the other person on there who I didn't recognize, I could click on her link which makes me think that she was also a director or above.I wish the online shows were set up like 31 - I believe it's listed on the top of the consultant's website which shows are currently online. Talk about quick and simple!
 
I put in my address. I was NO WHERE on the list....2 were new consultants (within the last 2 months) that don't even have websites!!!!!! and 1 was my director....2 were directors in the NEXT state!!! 3 hours away! go figure....oh well...

although when i put my name in and clicked on the website it took me to MY NEW website....funny.....
 
Last edited:
Is anyone telling Tech support about all this? It could be another glitch.
 
I was wondering if anyone was passing this info along also.....one of my recruits has not submitted $1250 yet this year and she popped up. I'm not too thrilled with everything I've been hearing....especially hosts HAVING to have an e-mail address......I have a lot of hosts who do NOT have e-mail.....makes sense to search by name which we know off the top of our head.
 
  • Thread starter
  • #118
wadesgirl said:
I wish the online shows were set up like 31 - I believe it's listed on the top of the consultant's website which shows are currently online. Talk about quick and simple!

31 isn't the only company that does it like this.... and I listed those other companies in my email to HO... I've never emailed HO for anything but this one was a long email... we'll see what they respond.

Here is my email I sent off:

First off, thank you for all your hard work and efforts with the new web and app! Can’t wait for the app! I know this is still a work in progress, but I do have a few questions and concerns with the new web now that I’ve been inside and have played with it a little.

1.) Why is a host’s name only searchable on my site by their email? What if a guest doesn’t know the host’s email? What if the host doesn’t have an email to begin with? What if my host DOES NOT want to give me her email or use email. This poses a major problem. I do not feel it professional of me to make my host give me her email against her will and I simply can’t tell her well then she cannot host a show because my system doesn’t allow it.
• I know I am not alone in thinking that the host search needs to be by name, not email. This is how Miche, Scentsy, and other companies do it, and while I know we are not them, it just seems to make more sense that people know people by their name and not email. It’s a complication and I foresee my sales going down dramatically because of this.

2.) Individual Orders – I was playing around seeing how to add an individual order. I put in the person’s name and items and went to the check out screen. Is there no way to change the shipping to go to that person? It said that it was going to ship to me and there was no option to change it. Next, how do you delete those individual orders if they are not going to be placed?
 
esavvymom said:
You really don't know how the OLD system worked in pulling up names. We know what OUR requirements were, but not the way they selected the names. It could work the same exact way, only now, you are SEEING the names.

No - in the old lead system - there was a queue - and everyone who was eligible in an area took their place in line. The next person in line for a lead in that area got the next lead. It wasn't a random choosing of names.
 
Just got this email from Director's Loop....THERE'S GREAT HOPE!!!

"Received this from a downline director:



I have been a kind of "beta tester" today!! The home office is so prepared!!!! Called them numerous times today about issues I have seen...They have a team of programmers in this weekend, working non-stop on issues that have come up....the Issue with entering guests only with an email will be changed(phone number and address will only be needed), website personalization and contact migration should all be addressed by Sunday night!!!! Stick with the current system for a few more days!!!!!"
 

Similar Pampered Chef Threads

  • meganmcg
  • Business, Marketing and Customer Service
Replies
2
Views
2K
meganmcg
  • mike nike
  • Products and Tips
Replies
4
Views
6K
pcsharon1
  • pcsharon1
  • Business, Marketing and Customer Service
Replies
2
Views
2K
AJPratt
  • andrealynne719
  • Business, Marketing and Customer Service
Replies
14
Views
2K
cookingwithlove
  • vanscootin
  • Business, Marketing and Customer Service
Replies
9
Views
3K
byrd1956
  • Tracy99
  • Business, Marketing and Customer Service
Replies
8
Views
3K
Tracy99
  • esavvymom
  • Business, Marketing and Customer Service
Replies
8
Views
2K
PCGirl77
  • Cindycooks
  • Business, Marketing and Customer Service
Replies
4
Views
1K
Cindycooks
  • angmillar
  • Business, Marketing and Customer Service
Replies
4
Views
1K
AnaCash
  • Kelly8
  • Business, Marketing and Customer Service
Replies
19
Views
3K
flemings99
Back
Top